I set a goal this year to spend more time with other local independent designers. The hope is that we can support each other in the many challenges we face wearing too many hats. I was already meeting with a group sporadically for lunch, and this year, we decided to formalize and meet monthly. Win! 

Today was our first gathering of the year, and it was, hands-down, the high point of my day. One of the reasons is James. He brought a ton of laughter to our circle. Still, even with all of the humor, our group was able to cover some interesting and helpful questions.

For instance:

How to critique student design work?
James suggested that you ask the student what they see wrong with the project and then work with them to make it right. I suggested having the student show a lot of iterations so that it's easier to call out which ones work and don't work.

When and how to hire design support (1099 contractor)?
Several of us are flirting with the idea and even trying it. That's encouraging.

What is the wrong type of appropriation?
I'm pretty sure the group agreed to avoid First Nations motifs. We also discussed Malcolm Gladwells' thoughts on appropriation from his Revisionist History podcast (be more like Pat Boone).

What makes a good software startup? 
Guestboard.co, for example, and how their CEO checks in with customers every Tuesday morning. Thanks to Jessica for sharing that bit of info.

What the heck do we do with social media?
Try not to take it too seriously and do it for pleasure. For example, Manfred's typographic experiments. We also talked about social media being a place to give a peek at the person behind the work.

What projects should we say no to? 
James and Jessica introduced the idea of a return of enjoyment. The idea is to ask yourself before accepting a project if it will bring delight. There may be an ROI, but is there an ROE? Good question! And I think that's applicable beyond design projects.

One things for sure, at today’s lunch had a ROE.